| Any Number Can Win | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Henri Verneuil |
| Screenplay by | Michel Audiard Albert Simonin Henri Verneuil |
| Produced by | Jacques Bar |
| Starring | Jean Gabin Alain Delon ((Link)) is ambiguous. Please use a more specific template. |
Production companies | C. C. M. CIPRA Cit Films |
| Distributed by | MGM |
Release date |
|
Running time | 118 minutes |
| Country | France |
| Language | French |
| Box office | 3,518,083 admissions (France)[1] |
Any Number Can Win (French: Mélodie en sous-sol) is a 1962 French film directed by Henri Verneuil. The film is based on the novel The Big Grab by ((Link)) is ambiguous. Please use a more specific template..
Plot
Charles comes out of prison after serving five years for attempted robbery. His wife wants him to go legit but she starts making plans for robbing the gambling casino at Cannes.
Charles uses two assistants: Francis, a young man whom he met in prison, and Francis' brother-in-law, Louis. The casino proceeds are kept in a basement vault which can be reached only by an elevator. Charles orders Francis to befriend casino dancers in order to learn the exact location of the backstage trapdoor which leads to the elevator shaft. Francis starts a romance with dancer Brigitte and learns the information.
On the night of the robbery, Francis goes to the casino roof and lowers himself down the elevator shaft. He robs the head chasier and lets in Charles. The two of them leave with a billion frances.
Francis hides the money in a swimming pool locker room. However Francis winds up losing the money.
Cast
- Jean Gabin : Mister Charles
- Alain Delon : Francis Verlot
- ((Link)) is ambiguous. Please use a more specific template. : Commissioner
- Maurice Biraud : Louis Naudin
- Viviane Romance : Ginette
- fr : Brigitte
- Dora Doll : Countess Doublianoff
- Henri Virlojeux : Mario
- José Luis de Vilallonga : Mister Grimp
- Rita Cadillac : Liliane
- fr : Marcelle
- Jean Carmet : Barman
- Jimmy Davis : Sam
- Dominique Davray : Léone
Production
Alain Delon took the film's distribution rights in certain countries instead of a straight salary. Because this had never been done before in France this was known as "Delon's method". It worked for Delon but in 1965 he claimed "no one else has tried it since and made money."[2]
Reception
The Washington Post called the film "dazzling... one of the best of its kind in years."[3] Bosley Crowther of the New York Times said it was one of the ten best films of the year.
The Mystery Writers of America gave the film an "Edgar" as the Best Foreign Movie of the year.[4]
References
- ^ French box office information for film at Box Office Story
- ^ New Dream for Alain Delon Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 18 Dec 1965: a12.
- ^ This Is Living End By Richard L. Coe. The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973) [Washington, D.C] 16 Jan 1964: E6.
- ^ Book, Movies Win Honors Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 25 Apr 1964: B8.